Toxic To-Go Containers Linked to Liver Disease

Fluorinated chemicals called polyfluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFASs), including PFOA and PFOS, can be found in most Americans.^first Widely used chemicals have been added to industrial and consumer products since the 1940s, but while PFOA and PFOS have been phased out in the US due to their toxic properties, other PFASs have remained. used.

Because chemicals break down so slowly in the environment, they’ve been dubbed “forever chemicals,” and there’s concern that exposure to these toxins could be a significant cause of disease. liver disease, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).²

Liver disease is a public health pandemic

NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries.³ characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in your liver that is not associated with heavy alcohol use. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, weight, and smoking all play an important role in exacerbating (as well as reducing) your chance of developing some forms of liver disease.

While alcohol consumption certainly doesn’t help with liver health, the increase in NAFLD may be more related to increased consumption of toxic industrially processed seed oils, commonly known as essential oils. plants, along with exposure to environmental chemicals, including PFAS.

Globally, about 25% of people are affected by NAFLD. In the United States, prevalence is expected to increase to 100.9 million people, or about one-third of adults, by 2030. Without appropriate treatment, NAFLD can lead to serious problems Liver problems include non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and end-stage liver disease.⁴

Exposure to PFAS is associated with liver disease

PFAS are endocrine disrupting chemicals that build up in body tissues, such as the liver, and are known to accelerate the metabolic changes that lead to fatty liver. This bioaccumulation, coupled with the long half-lives of many PFASs, leads to concerns about the potential for PFASs to disrupt liver homeostasis if they are continued, the researchers wrote in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. continue to accumulate in human tissue even after industrial use has ceased. . “⁵

The researchers, from USC’s Keck School of Medicine, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, capturing 85 rodent studies and 24 epidemiological studies. Four types of PFAS – PFOS, PFOA, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) – are the major causes of human exposure.

The study compared PFAS exposure with indicators of liver injury including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), NAFLD, NASH or steatosis, the accumulation of fat in the liver. Meta-analysis of human studies found that higher ALT levels are associated with exposure to PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA.

In addition, exposure to PFOA has also been associated with higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase – two widely used markers of liver disease – in humans. Rodents are also affected, with those exposed to PFAS tending to have higher ALT levels and obesity.⁶ The researchers concluded: “There is consistent evidence for hepatotoxicity of PFAS from rodent studies, supported by associations of PFAS and markers of liver function in studies. human observation”.⁷

Although it is not known exactly how PFAS can harm the liver, its hepatotoxicity is likely due to a combination of the following:⁸

• Promotes liver inflammation and triglyceride accumulation
• Changes in lipid metabolism
• Reduced bioavailability of choline, causing steatosis due to choline deficiency. Choline, an essential nutrient, supports normal liver function and liver health, helping it maintain membrane integrity and manage the metabolism of cholesterol, including low-density lipoproteins and very-density lipoproteins. (VLDL), which helps move fat out of your liver.⁹

They show that the newer PFAS, which was used to replace the “legacy” PFAS that was phased out in the early 2000s, has a similar structure and chemical properties, and thus may have toxic effects. similar harm.

The effects of these common chemicals after combined exposure, as well as the risks of exposure to the most vulnerable populations – infants, including in utero, are also unknown. em. “This review identifies a need for additional research evaluating next-generation, mixed, and early-exposure PFAS,” they explain.^ten

“We found that the incidence of NAFLD in humans is increasing, but the explanations are still unclear,” said study author Sarah Rock. “Although human studies on the association between PFAS and liver disease are limited, there is ample evidence in animal studies suggesting hepatotoxicity of PFAS.

One challenge for PFAS researchers is that humans are exposed to a mixture of hundreds, if not thousands, of these chemicals. Mixture analysis is a potential tool to address this complexity in the future. “¹¹ Study author Elizabeth Costello added:^twelfth

“This study clearly shows that PFAS need to be taken seriously as a human health concern because even if they are phased out, they persist in the environment. We believe there is enough of it. evidence to demonstrate the need to clean up sources of PFAS exposure and to prevent future exposure.”

PFAS poses a significant risk to human health

It is not only the liver that is affected by PFAS. In May 2015, more than 200 scientists from 40 countries signed the Madrid Declaration, which warns about the harmful effects of PFAS chemicals and documents the potential health effects of exposure. :¹³

Exposure to high levels of PFAS is also known to affect the immune system, and evidence from both human and animal studies shows that such exposure reduces antibody responses to vaccines and It can also decrease your ability to fight infections.¹⁴ The US EPA also acknowledges that exposure to PFAS is harmful and states that peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that PFAS exposure can cause:¹⁵

Food packaging is a source of overexposure

If you’re wondering how you might be exposed to these harmful chemicals, food packaging is a common culprit, especially for fast foods and processed foods. Grease-proof carry-on containers, papers, and packaging often contain PFAS. This includes fast food containers and wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers.¹⁶ Even foods from health food stores like Whole Foods can be packaged in PFAS containers.

In fact, a 2018 study published by consumer watchdog groups Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, and Toxic Futures found the Whole Foods Market to be the biggest offender in the segment. their analysis of food contact paper products. They found high levels of fluorine – an indication that the packaging contained PFAS – in five of the 17 items examined, four of which were salad and hot food containers.¹⁷

In another study, about a third of about 400 wrappers and fast food containers examined were found to contain fluorine, which indicates that perfluorinated chemicals were used to create the surface. glossy finish for the paper, helping the paper to resist oil and grease. “We found that 46 percent of food contact paper and 20 percent of paperboard samples contained detectable fluorine,” the researchers explain.¹⁸

Because chemicals migrate into food and contaminate compost piles and landfills after disposal, the use of PFAS results in unnecessary long-term exposure to chemicals that are harmful to humans. , wildlife and the environment, especially since PFAS-free packaging options are widely available.

How were you exposed to PFAS?

PFAS can be found in water, soil, air and food. They’re in your home, including in household products like stain- and water-repellent fabrics, cleaning products, cookware and non-stick coatings – and possibly in your drinking water.

According to a 2016 Harvard study, 16.5 million Americans have detectable levels of at least one type of PFAS in their drinking water, and about 6 million Americans are drinking water containing PFAS equal to or higher than that. EPA safety level.¹⁹ The highest concentrations of PFAS were found in watersheds near industrial sites, military fire training areas, and wastewater treatment plants. Private wells are also contaminated.

PFAS has no taste, so most people should filter their water with a high-quality carbon filtration system. To make sure you’re getting the purest water possible, filter the water at both inlet and use.

You can also be exposed to PFAS by eating seafood caught in chemically contaminated waters, ingesting contaminated soil or dust, and by using personal care products that contain PFAS, including essential oils. shampoo, floss, nail polish, eye makeup and more.²⁰

Given the widespread and long-term use of these chemicals, people will be well served by following the Madrid Declaration’s recommendation to avoid products containing or manufactured using PFAS, including Most stain-resistant, waterproof or non-stick. To reduce your exposure, the Environmental Working Group recommends that you avoid:²¹

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